Flintlock Troubles

[Arrowstorm]

Heh heh......

Not here!

Finally ordered me some REAL black powder from grafs and got about 2 pounds of the ffffg. Took some of that stuff to the range the next day. I recently got a .50 cal Pedersoli Kentucky flintlock pistol too. So I took the pistol and my longrifle.

I was so succesful at shooting that the next thing I knew, I had shot ALL my balls (about 60) between the two firearms! I did manage to finally snap my ball starter (old and made of plastic). But I'll just make a new one.

I was amazed at the speed at which black powder ignites! I still used pyrodex for my main charge but with the ffffg prime, there was not a single hangfire. Except twice.. when my flint came loose and made no spark whatsoever. But that's a different story. Like I said, only twice did that happen, but every single time I pulled that trigger aside from that, I got ignition of the main charge.

I am very happy with this, and I will NEVER use anything other than black powder for priming ever again.

I also found that when I use the black powder for my main charge, ignition is INSTANT! It was great! :grey: I am convinced that when I hear people (including myself) complain about the slow ignition, or flashes in the pan, or no flash at all (seeing as how the slightest spark will ignite 4F) that they MUST be using pyrodex for the prime!

I'm glad I finally found the 4F to use. Since I got the powder, I've been to the range twice and again, (like what happened when I got the new lock for my longrifle) I shot my gun for more shots than I have ever shot it at once before. I'm very excited about this. It feels like I have a whole new gun or something. :thumbsup:

Buz

 

[Bob Riegl]

I never tried any of that "fake" blackpowder---I set an early target for myself when I started shooting BP many, many years ago---If I am to shoot a ML'er I wil always use the genuine article. From what I have heard from those who insist on using the "fake" stuff, it doesn't work well in a flintlock---now you will start evaluating the various and sundry different powders that are out there---find one you like and stick with it. I tried GOEX---great stuff, ELEPHANT---garbage :imo:, SCHUETZEN & SWISS---possibly the best (most expensive also) there is. What I settled with is SWISS. Enjoy shooting these little smokepoles it's the most fun you can have with your clothes on. :front:

 

[ronrryan]

Whilst I have been shooting flintlocks for about ten years now, I do not claim in any way to be an expert. You mention using 4Fg on occsion for "the main charge" as opposed to using it as part of a duplex charge. I have been told by a number of experienced shooters over the years that 4FG should NOT be used as a complete main charge, only for prime or as part of a duplex, because the pressure from the very fast burning powder is liable to be too high. Perhaps I misunderstood your post, and others may comment on this point. Good sparking, ron in Venice, FL

 

[Berk]

You hace better luck with Pyrodex than I have had. For me it may or may not go off. I do not put any prime down the barrel first like they recamend because thats too much trouble. Why not just use the real thing. There are going to be days that you are going to have slow ignition and some days that it wont hardly go off at all. Humidity has alot to do with it but if you keep it clean and the tiuch hole open it will go off more times than not.

Your flints are the thing that will give you the most trouble. Cut flints usually dont work as well as knapped flints. I knapp my own from chert and flint that can be found localy Right now I have one of those miracle flints in my rifle. I put it in June and hve over 100 shots on it and it still sparking good. This doesnt happen very often.

Good luck with your flinter and I hope it keeps workig that well for you.

Berk

 

[big bore 75]

good to hear your having fun and making smoke, now just use the 4fg for priming the pan, and get ya the good old black for the main charge to you'll, even enjoy it more nuthin on dis planet smell like black in the mornin. bb75

 

[quigleysharps]

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